Portsmouth V Scunthorpe at Fratton Park : Match Preview

28 September 2012 01:01

Rodgers blow for Pompey
Portsmouth will be without striker Luke Rodgers for the visit of Scunthorpe.
Boss Michael Appleton was dealt a huge blow when an MRI scan revealed Rodgers will be out for three weeks with a tear in his thigh.
It means Appleton is left with Izale McLeod as his only senior striker, although he has space to bring in a loan signing after defender Kevin Long went back to Burnley.
Josh Thompson is expected to be available despite a hamstring problem but fellow defender Alex Grant remains on the sidelines with medial knee ligament injury.
Appleton has little opportunity to make changes with his threadbare squad but Liam Walker and Ashley Harris are pushing for recalls as Pompey look for their first home win of the season.
Scunthorpe striker Leon Clarke is hoping to extend his impressive scoring record for the club.
Clarke has scored in all four games for the Iron since arriving on loan from Charlton as Alan Knill's side continue to benefit from an injury-free run by climbing the table.
Knill has no new injury or suspension problems and is not likely to make any unforced changes as his side look to extend their unbeaten league run to five matches, although midfielder Chris Sedgwick is pushing for his first start.
Skipper Paul Reid is not expected back as he needs a reserve-team run-out before returning from a broken bone in his hand, which required surgery during the summer.
Damien Mozika (ankle) remains a fortnight away from a return to training as does fellow midfielder Michael Collins, who has been sidelined long-term due to tendonitis.